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POEMS 



BY 



EAGLESTONE, f*f2^" 




ALBANY : 

J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 

M DCCC LYII. 



ft a 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1S57, by 
JOEL MUNSELL, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Northern 
District of New York. 



CONTEXTS. 

Experientia, 9 

Invocation, 30 

Perseverance Conquers all, - - - -32 
Strike on, 37 

To Bob-o-lincoln, 38 

Huzza, - - - - . . -.41 
To the Normanskill, - - - - -44 

'Tis Mystery all, 47 

Autumn Reverie, 50 

Waiting for the Master, - - - - 53 

Hymn, .55 

Calvary, - - - - - --57 

Hymn, ------- 59 



Poesy, -61 

Inspiration, ------ 65 

Hymn to the Earth, ----- 69 

The Snow Storm, - - - - - - 74 

John Cooley, 77 

Storm upon the Caatskills, - - - - 81 
Autumn Night, - - - - - 85 

Stanzas, - - 87 

Dare and Do, - - - - - - 89 

Hail the Port, - - - - - - 90 

Sing! 0, Sing! - ... . -91 

The Believer's Death, - - - - - 93 

Street Reverie, - - - - - - 97 

To Mary, - - - - - - - 101 

Faith, - - -•- -- - - - 102 

Glory- Beameth there, -- - , - - - 103 
Stanzas, -■ - - - - - 104 



MY DEAR SISTER, 



THIS VOLUME 



IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED, 



BY THE AUTHOR. 



EXPERIENTIA. 

" And I will bring the blind by a way they know not ; 
I will conduct them in a path, they have not known ; 
I will make darkness light before them, 
And crooked things straight." 

Isaiah, xlii ? 16. 



EXPEEIENTIA. 

i. 

Upon this wondrous world of life 

I found myself astir one day, 
Amid the noise and ceaseless strife 

Of forces that for ever sway. 
Around my home the bustle great, 

Surged like the waves of angry sea; 
An island, kept by loving fate, 

Was that sweet home that sheltered me. 

II. 
A mother, good and gently kind, 

"Was there to guide my infant will ; 
She led my thought, and filled my mind 

With memories that linger still. 



10 

Many a prayer to Christ her Lord, 
She said for me with streaming eyes ; 

Many a good and holy word, 

She bade me learn and ever prize. 

in. 

Long time I lived in this good way, 

My tender spirit guarded well 
From wand'ring paths, that led astray 

From the good fold where I did dwell. 
I loved to hear my mother's voice 

Tell of the Shepherd's kind command ; 
My mother's Lord was mine by choice ; 

He led me by her gentle hand. 

rv. 

Death's arrow came one autumn day, 

And soon my mother drooped and died, 
I grieved to see her silent lay — 

To waken her I vainly tried. 
I kissed her brow — O ! very cold 

Was that sweet face, before so warm ; 
She did not lift, as wont of old, 

That beautiful, embracing arm. 



11 

V. 

I followed sadly to the tomb 

The blessed one that loved me so ; 
Into the dark and dreadful gloom 

To better lands I saw her go. 
And with her went the best of joy, 

The best of earth, the best of love ; 
Behind remained the sad alloy 

Of colder hearts for me to prove. 

VI. 

Now sent to live in village scenes, 

A little loving, yearning boy, 
Full of bright hope and blessed dreams, 

But none my grief to share, or joy. 
By slow degrees I learned to seek 

For friends, in fields and running brooks ; 
Sweet voices, too, began to speak 

Unto my soul from storied books. 

VII. 

In wooded fields I felt at home, 

And kindred claimed in every thing ; 

The song of birds, the pleasant tone 
Of streams that ever run and sing ; 



12 

The golden day, the solemn night, 
To me a peace divine would give, 

A blessed calm, a sweet delight, 
Too sweet, alas, to always live. 

VIII. 

Ah ! soon the mighty hand of life 

Drew me within its army strong, 
Compelled was I to toil in strife, 

And mingle with the busy throng. 
I heard the oath and scornful jeer 

Of infidel and scoffer proud, 
Till by degrees I lost the fear 

'Neath which my trembling spirit bowed. 

IX. 

Time swiftly came and flew away ; 

Each day the tempter spread his snare, 
Till I became his captive prey, 

The subject of his jealous care. 
He made me doubt my Savior's truth, 

Till I denied his blood-bought claim, 
And wandered far, a wayward youth, 

Into the land of doubt and shame. 



13 

x. 

I drank the bowl that pleasure brought, 

I joined the wanton's wild'ring dance, 
And filled ray brain with foolish thought, 

With thoughts of destiny and chance. 
I laughed to scorn the simple faith 

That trusted where it could not see, 
And said with self-sufficient breath, 

Thou, Reason, shalt be God to me ! 

XI. 

I ran from scene to other scene, 

In mad pursuit of smiling hope, 
But only ran from dream to dream, 

For buds that ne'er to blossoms ope. 
Like desert visions, every aim 

And earthly hope of joy grew dim ; 
I woke, and found myself in pain, 

Within the land of wrath and sin. 

XII. 

I hungered, but I found no bread ; 

I thirsted, but no draught was there : 
No rock to shield my aching head, 

From mid-day sunbeams' fiercest glare. 



14 

No voice within to comfort me ; 

Instead, my conscience spake of woe ; 
And sinful deeds in memory, 

With whips of fire, glanced to and fro. 

XIII. 

I tried with reckless daring rash, 

To drown my pain in greater sin ; 
But only gained the fiercer lash, 

From world without and world within. 
I cursed the day that gave me birth, 

And spake against the Lofty One, 
For bringing me upon the earth, 

To see my pain, and hear my moan. 

XIV. 

In this sad mood my guided feet, 

Directed were to house divine ; 
I heard the hymn and service, meet 

For such a place and such a time. 
But my cold heart remained as dead 

As senseless stock, or harder stone, 
Till an old woman rose and said, 

" I know the truth, and will it own. 



15 

XV. 

" For I was born and lived a slave, 

For many years to sinful men ; 
Many a scar to show I have, 

Of passions fierce that raged in them. 
I married, too, and children had, 

Who lived with me for many years, 
And made my daily labor glad, 

And gave me strength to banish tears. 

XVI. 

" Misfortune came to master old ; 
He sold my family apart, 
For money poor, for paltry gold ; 

He broke my husband's gentle heart. 
He sent my children far away, 

And blighted all my hopes of joy ; 
! never since that woeful day 

Have I embraced my girl or boy. 

XVII. 

" I wanted death to quickly end 
My bitter grief, my sad despair, 
But Jesus did his servant send 

With words of peace to drown my care. 



16 

I trusted God, and found his love 
Was able still to make me whole ; 

Though poor and old, I daily prove 
His truth can give a peaceful soul." 

XVIII. 

She told this tale in simple speech, 

With many sad rejoicing tears ; 
But ever more that tale did preach 

Unto my heart through passing years. 
It made me feel that I was wrong, 

And thankless for a lot more fair ; 
It made me think, and made me long 

For peace my spirit did not share. 

XIX. 

And then I strove by life more true, 

To honor thought by winning fame j 
To place myself among the few 

Who leave behind a moral name. 
But this I found a slipp'ry path, 

And many painful falls I had, 
While all the time suspended wrath 

Hung like a woe above my head. 



17 

xx. 

I felt for God in human thought, 

And went within my yearning brain 
To find the key to what I sought, 

But all my seeking was in vain. 
Man's thought and speculation high 

Contained no balm of peace for me ; 
No strength to quench the heaving sigh, 

Nor freedom from my misery. 

XXI. 

My heart was full of stoic pride, 

And long I strove to smother down 
The pain that grew, and ever tried 

My scornful, laughing mood to drown. 
One night, beside a river clear, 

The cry arose, and would not stay — 
" Great God !" I said, M If thou canst hear, 

Show me the truth, the truths I pray." 

XXII. 

Sweet thoughts of home and distant years, 
Of mother's love, and mother's prayers, 

Rushed up with strange, refreshing tears, 
And swiftly flew the fearful cares, 



18 

Like shapes of gloom before the light, 

As I lay list'ning on the sod, 
That solemn, silent summer night, 

To mother's talk of Christ and God. 

XXIII. 

Long time I lay, and when I rose, 

My heart was very calm and still. 
A pleasant breeze, with fitful blows, 

Upon me breathed its fragrant will. 
I thought the river seemed to pause, 

My peaceful face to gaze upon ; 
While I, unconscious of the cause 

Of this new joy, went onward home. 

XXIV. 

The days went by, and habits old 

Resumed their sway within my soul ; 
I lost the grace that 'gan to mould, 

And strive to make my spirit whole. 
The words of anti-Christ became 

The subject of my thought and speech ; 
But keener still I felt the pain 

Of discontent no thought could reach. 



19 

XXV. 

The days went by, and then I stood 

"Within the Chrystal Palace bright, 
So beautiful with gathered good, 

The product of the nation's might. 
From statue grand to painting sweet, 

I went with joy and fresh desire, 
With thirsting eye and eager feet, 

And heart with beauty all on fire. 

XXYI. 

I mounted high with soaring thought 

Before the artist's pictured mood, 
Or past event in colors wrought, 

To thrill the soul, to stir the blood. 
My soul that day was in my eyes, 

My heart was like. an instrument 
That utters manifold replies 

To every touch unto it sent. 

XXVII. 

At last before Thorwaldsen's group 
Of Christ and the apostle band, 

I stood to gaze, and grow as mute 

And still as they themselves did stand. 



20 

Alone with them, the crowd were gone, 
For day was going from the west, 

The twilight gently falling down 
With softer light upon each breast. 

XXVIII. 

Alone with Christ, the man divine ; 

Ah ! well I knew and loved his life, 
So calm and pure the life sublime, 

With love and peaceful glory rife. 
And these the men that followed him 

Through lives of pain to violent death ; 
My soul was strangely stirred within, 

While slow and solemn came my breath. 

XXIX. 

The Son of God, from heaven sent 

To make atonement for my sin ! 
That God in human nature pent, 

Creator ! — creature's form within ! 
The claim was high, the myst'ry deep ; 

Too deep for me to solve, believe ; 
My unbelief I still did keep, 

And yet it made me sigh and grieve. 



21 

XXX. 

Through trembling of my tired eye, 

Intently fixed upon his frame, 
I saw his breast heave with a sigh, 

And mighty awe upon me came : 
The suffocating need of breath — 

The fear of falling strengthless there — 
All made me flee, as if from death, 

Into the open street for air. 

XXXI. 

Away, away, to other scenes, 

My anxious soul was swiftly led, 
But nobler thought was in my dreams, 

Than e'er before was on me shed. 
To culture mind, to keep my soul 

Above the love of self and gold, 
To have my passions in control, 

And all my actions justly mould. 

XXXII. 

For this I sought, and while I strove, 

I met a praying child of God, 

One who had long possessed the love 

Of Christ, though then beneath his rod. 
3 



22 

She spake of joys to me unknown, 
She urged me, with resistless tears, 

To seek for Christ till he should own 
And free me from my doubts and fears. 

XXXIII. 

And others told how calmly sweet 

The joy and peace of settled faith, 
That rises high, its God to greet, 

Above the doubts that reason hath. 
But doubts were mine : I could not drive 

The varied throng from out my brain ; 
Like angry bees from broken hive, 

Belief they stung and stung again. 

xxxiv. 

But still those Christians clung to me, 

With sweet persuasive voice and eye. 
Strange witness from the Deity 

They promised, if I would but try 
To seek him in appointed way ; 

My fervent prayer and deep desire 
Would bring, they said, a vivid ray, 

As spark from God's eternal fire. 



23 

XXXV. 

Within my room, in earnest mood, 

I cried aloud both night and day, 
For God to make my yearning good, 

And give me light to point the way ; 
To teach me truth, to show my heart 

As it was seen by his pure eye ; 
To pluck the painful, stinging dart, 

That kept all peace from coming nigh. 

XXXVI. 

I felt the pain and struggle great, 

Of feeble faith with mighty doubt : 
Vibrating thus from state to state, 

I could not act within or out ; 
But God was good, and to me sent 

A servant of his own dear Son, 
Who spake the word that to me lent 

A stronger will to still press on. 

XXXVII. 

" Lay down thine unbelieving thought, 
And use your power to now believe, 

That, all the truth by Jesus taught, 
Is truth for you to learn and live." 



24 

I took the word, and strove again 
To lay my dark opinions down, 

To drive all doubt from out my brain, 
And every fear to overcome. 

XXXVIII. 

New feelings then began to grow, 

And move within my wakened soul ; 
My sinful heart began to show 

A pressing need of being whole. 
Within I felt the poison ran, 

That filled my life with deeds of sin j 
I saw the blessed gospel plan, 

But could not plunge the fountain in. 

xxxix. 

Strong fetters held my anxious mind 

To idols that I long had loved ; 
To break them all I oft designed, 

Too great the struggle often proved. 
A poor, divided heart was mine, 

And mine was all its trouble great ; 
0, pain ! to stay, while voice divine 

Cried, " Come and be ye separate." 



25 

XL. 

Within my room, retired from sight, 

There came the awful cry to me, 
"Arouse, arouse, and choose to-night 

Thy God and joy, or misery." 
Great thrills of awe upon me rushed ; 

Great thoughts of hell's eternal doom, 
With dread supreme my spirit hushed ; 

An awful presence filled that room. 

XLI. 

Up through the casement open wide, 

My glances sped among the stars, 
Swift thought, with one space-spanning stride, 

Passed out beyond creation's bars ; 
Beyond the universe's bound 

It flew, until I found it stayed 
By the great multitude, around 

The judgment seat of Christ arrayed. 

XLII. 

An awful expectation deep, 

Made all those countless millions still ; 
Expression real each face did keep, 

Eevealing fate that soul should fill. 



26 

One mighty theme engaged the thought 
Of every mind assembled there ; 
" How did I live, what have I brought 
To show, when called to answer here V 9 

XLIII. 

Each burning eye upon me turned, 

As if to say, decide thee now : 
My duty there I swiftly learned, 

And lowly bent to breathe my vow. 
" 0, God 3 1 give my all to thee, 

My heart, my mind, my strength and soul, 
I yield as thou requirest me — 

Accept the gift, and hence control." 

XLIV. 

A sense of God's approving smile, 

Upon my spirit rested warm, 
As after storm a blessed while, 

The soothing sunbeams shower down. 
A peace I never knew before, 

Through all my being sweetly ran, 
And like a fountain running o'er, 

My love went out to God and man. 



27 

XLV. 

New truths were opened to my view, 

Like vistas in a beauteous land. 
And out to God through channels new, 

My meditations marched grand. 
New thoughts of joy within my mind 

Sprang up, like flowers rich and rare, 
As if angelic being kind, 

Celestial seed had planted there. 

XL VI. 

God's word became my great delight, 

And like a flashing, brilliant stream 
Of glory, running through a night, 

Each promise written there did seem. 
My faith grew up, as grows a flame 

From little spark to mighty blaze : 
My confidence at once became 

Too strong for doubt to quench or raze. 

XL VII. 

My constant prayer was, u Make me clean, 
And useful in this fleeting life." 

I asked for wisdom deep and keen, 
To mingle in the mighty strife ; 



28 

Then sickness led me to the deeps, 

Where pain and darkness constant frown, 

And death his revel ever keeps, 
In that great valley, dimly known. 

XL VIII. 

Alone within that dreary land, 

I walked its paths of awful gloom, 
Great spectres by my way did stand, 

Dark ghosts of sins that I had done. 
They cried aloud, and mocked at me, 

And said that I for ever more 
Should toss in hopeless misery, 

From shore to hell's remotest shore. 

XLIX. 

I heard eternal waters dash, 

Like ocean waves around my feet; 
I thrilled to feel the sullen plash 

Rise up my ebbing life to meet. 
But I was calm and wished to go, 

For Christ my Lord was with me there, 
And by the love His face did show, 

He saved me from a dark despair. 



29 

L. 

He taught me there to trust in Him, 

And showed the object of His strife ; 
He filled me with a hate to sin, 

And yearnings for a holy life. 
Again I breathed an earnest vow, 

To live for Him in passing time, 
To keep His law and ever know, 

The beauty of the life divine. 

LI. 

This world is now a blessed place, 

A place to bear His smile or rod, 
In all events, my soul can trace 

The presence of its Savior God. 
He aids me by His grace divine, 

To keep the faith and love his cause . 
Come ye that read my hasty rhyme, 

Give Christ your heart and keep his laws. 



INVOCATION. 

Brood above me Holy Dove, — 

Spirit of the mighty One ! 
Increase thou my faith and love, 
Thou Spirit of the Son! 

Nigher and still nigher, 
Drawn by my desire, 
Come and let me be 
Forever ruled by Thee. 

Dwell within me Comforter : 

To thyself myself subdue, — 
Till a faithful worshipper 
Of Christ the Lord, the true. 
Nigher and still nigher, 
Soul of my desire, 
Come and show to me 
The things I long to see ! 



31 

Breathe upon me Holy Ghost, 

All thy breath of love and fire ; 
Breathe again till self is lost, 
And all my sins expire. 

Higher and still higher, 
Teach me to aspire, 
Till I am lost in Thee, 
Thou Holy Trinity ! 



PERSEVERANCE CONQUERS ALL. 



Along a wintry way I strolled, 

Benumbed and shiv'ring with the cold, 

When just beside my cheerless road, 

I saw a lad with heavy load. 

Too great for all his feeble strength, 

To roll it o'er the little length 

Which still remained twixt snowy wall, 

And growing bulk of rolling ball. 

Despite the cold, and finger's smart 

Pride swelled the little hero's heart, 

As vision of his icy fort , 

With breast high wall, and open court, — 

Rose up before his eager eye, 

And nerved his arm again to try. 

Once more he tugged the stubborn mass, 

Till streaming eyes and purple face, 



33 

And failing strength, and heaving breast, 
Told him how hopeless was the test. 
But no! he's made of sterner stuff: 
He's failed but thrice, that's not enough 
To prove to him it carCt be done, 
When he's resolved it shall be, soon,. 
Upon his bended knees he drops, — 
His shoulder 'gainst the ball he props, 
Once more he heaves with might and main, 
And moves it slowly neath the strain, 
Till in the opening of his wall, 
He rolls the compact snowy ball, 
And mounts its top with ringing shout, 
And from his lips came pealing out, 
" I've beat at last ! I've made my wall : 
'Tis perseverance conquers all !" 

I saw him in the village school, 

When first he heard the nick-name, fool, 

Applied to him as his by right, 

Because in lessons, not so bright 

As some who studied all their days, 

And cared for less than he for plays. 

That stinging word, it sent a thrill 

Which made the tears those blue eyes fill, 
4 



34 

And blanched the lips and sun burnt brow, 

And tortured forth the desp'rate vow, — 

"'Tis true I'm now as scholar worst, 

But time shall come when I'll be first, 

So hear me all, for this I swear! 

Then call mejfooZ, let him who dare!" 

Again he bent him to his task, 

No favor would he deign to ask, 

But on with steady, tireless pace, 

He rushed along the school-boy race, 

To win the prize of victor brain, 

And wash away that fool born stain, 

'Twas done : Fair Triumph crowned his call, 

And Perseverance conquered all. 

I saw him next in dingy halls, 
'Mid shaded light, and time stained walls, 
Where Learning's chaplet hung on high, 
And college honors lured the eye. 
There was a noble zealous band, 
Led by their Alma Mater's hand — 
And well they strove, and seemed awhile 
With equal faith her hope beguile, 
But soon his farewell poem's thrall, 
Proved Perseverance conquered all. 



35 

Then next I saw him 'mid the strife, 
The changing hopes and fears of life. 
I heard his ringing battle peal, 
On many a field where squadrons reel, 
Where brave hearts tremble, fear and fail 
Borne down by treach'ries iron hail : 
But though he bled from every pore, 
And round him rolled the swelling roar, 
Of Evil's legions wild and fierce, 
Intent his noble heart to pierce, — 
With Faith his shield, and Spirit's sword, 
And helmet strong, of God's own word, 
With deadly aim and power, each blow 
Fell on the head of some proud foe. 
The field is strewn with victims o'er, 
And now we hear his trumpets pour — 
In streams of martial joy they call, 
Tis Perseverance conquers all. 

I looked above, beyond the skies, 
When all the blest from death shall rise, 
And blend their glad hosanna songs, 
Which angel hosts with joy prolongs, 
And saw their harps and crowns of gold, 
Which Patmos visions hath foretold, — 



36 

The raiment white and spotless too, 
Of Gentile saint and faithful Jew. 
The glittering walls and pearly gates, 
Where angel convoy ever waits, 
The trees of life, by flowing streams, 
The uncreated light which beams 
In splendor past all human thought, 
Eevealing clear the Lamb who bought 
Our sinful souls with precious blood, 
And op'ed the way from earth to God. 

I saw him there ; with joyful tone 
He cast his crown before the throne, 
And sang with loud and glad acclaim, 
The praise of his Redeemer's name. 
I asked him how he won that place ? 
He answered back, " My earthly race 
Through tribulation great was run, 
But now my conflict all is done, 
And though my robes were soiled in fight 
In Jesus' blood they're washed and white : 
This the cry thy foes to appal 
Tis Perseverance conquers all !" 



STEIKE ON. 

Kouse up brave heart, and dare 
Each bitter foe opposing, 

Go on, and seek the lair 
Of obstacle imposing. 

Strike on without despair 
The struggle ever choosing. 

Strike on brave heart, and find 
Each frowning foe retreating, 

Keep on the dauntless mind, 
The iron blow repeating. 

Old foeman, take and bind — 
The new one bravely meeting. 

Strike on brave heart, and learn 
The secret of succeeding ; 

Strike on, and thou shalt earn 
The joy of plans proceeding. 

Strike on, and men shall yearn 
To follow fast thy leading. 



TO BOB-O-LINCOLN. 

i. 

Many thanks to thee good Bob-o-lincoln, 
For all the pleasant things you sing to me 
About the sunshine and the meadows free. 
"The clover cups are filled for me to drink-em. 
Drink-em, the sweet delicious sweets, oh, dear ! 
Very dear and sweet is clover wine to me." 
I thought as much good Bob-o-lincoln, 
By that slow, unsteady flight of thine ; 
And thy tipsy, tink-a-link-um 
Soft silver-bell like melody — 
Telleth plain as plain can be, 
You drink too much of clover wine. 

II. 
You may frisk your tail good Bob-o-lincoln, 
And look as sober as you please at me, 
You can't disguise the fact at all, you see. 
" My sweethearts were along, and as I like-em, 
Like-em, the delightful creatures, oh, dear ! 
To please them all, I drank with each you see.' 5 



39 

Wink your eye no more, Bob-o-lincoln, 
I detest such bacchanalian ways, 
And tell you, that tink-a-link-um 
Soft silver-bell like melody, 
That wins so many hearts to thee, 
Will mournful grow in coming days. 

in. 
That roguish breeze, tipsy Bob-o-lincoln, 
Tries hard to shake that sprig from under thee. 
Why don't you fly, for that would wiser be? 
"The day is hot; my breeches, tho' I like-em, 
Like-em, are too tight to fly in, oh ! dear : 
My coat and cap are badly soiled, you see j" 
Ah, well I know good Bob-o-lincoln, 
All your dandy fear of ridicule ; 
That hat of white put jaunty on, — 
Those breeches black and bright to see, 
Will soon all torn and ragged be, 
Then all the birds will call thee fool. 

IV. 

Many men know I good Bob-o-lincoln, 

Who sought for pleasure as 'tis sought by thee, 

But their end was woeful full of misery. 

"Go it while you're young, and stop your preach-in, 



40 

Preach-in, such stuff as that to me : oh ! dear, 
My head is aching; give another cup to me." 
Yes, thy head will ache, Bob-o-lincoln ; 
Another cup will sink thee lower down, 
And thy cheerful tink-a-link-um 
Soft silver-bell like melody, 
Will float no more so joyfully 
Upon these winds so pleasant grown. 

v. 

My heart is very sad, Bob-o-lincoln, 

To think of those who walk the world with me, 

But going down to ruin now with thee. 

" Perhaps we may reform and stop our drink-in, 

Drinkin, and our licentious life, oh ! dear, 

But the time is not yet come for us, you see/ 5 

The same old story, Bob-o-lincoln, 

I've heard it many a time before. 

But habit puts strong fetters on, 

Too strong, alas ! for them and thee 

To throw off when ye would be free. 

There you fall, rise and drink no more. 



HUZZA! 

Huzza ! the world is gathering now, 
With fashioning hand and planing brow, 
The substance rich for a Temple grand, 
Whose pillars shall rise on every land ; 
Over the nations, over the sea, 
Shall spread the glorious canopy. 

Huzza ! Huzza ! 



Huzza ! the world is making a hymn, 

Out of its discord, evil and sin, 

Out of the worker's pitiful moan, 

Out of the battlefield's mournful groan, — 

Music is coming and still will come, 

Till the melody's finished and done. 

Huzza ! Huzza ! 



42 

Huzza ! the spirit of labor chains 
To her great intent the iron veins ; 
The might of water, of fire and steam, 
And the leaping lightning's fiercer beam, 
Like a great united brotherhood, 
With the King Soul work for human good. 

Huzza ! Huzza! 



Huzza ! 'tis matter for joyful tears, 
For hope far greater than all our fears, 
Tho' Sin may conceive and evil cause, 
Yet the power of God's eternal laws, 
Takes the invention, the thought or plan, 
And maketh it work some good to man. 

Huzza! Huzza! 



Huzza! for the great Creator still 
Rules the universe after His will, 
He sends a thought to the brain of man 
Pit and chosen to perfect the plan ; 
And that thought reigns a King on his throne, 
Till the work is done, or purpose shown. 

Huzza ! Huzza ! 



43 

Huzza ! for thus it will ever be, 
Till the hoped for brighter day we see, 
When forces now for battle arrayed, 
Shall be constrained to labor and aid, 
Out in the forest — deep in the mine, 
For the needed beam, or silver fine. 

Huzza ! Huzza ! 



Huzza ! ye that build the Temple rare. 
Banish your fear and your dark despair ; 
Tho' years may pass and centuries come, 
While a block is dug or rafter hewn, 
Build and believe in the coming day 
When all men into its courts shall stray. 

Huzza ! Huzza ! 

Huzza ! for the Temple rich and grand, 
Whose dome shall cover sea and land; 
When Jesus shall reign the only king, 
The nations shall join to shout and sing, 
The numbers sweet of the finished hymn, 
That cometh now from evil and sin. 

Huzza! Huzza! 



TO THE NORMANSKILL. 

Sing and make music the rocks among, 

Stream of the lulling voice ; 
Down to the river mighty and strong, 
Glide swiftly, sweetly singing thy song — 
Rejoice, ever rejoice. 

Spring in her flowers danced for a time 

'Neath the shade of thy evergreen trees ; 
Birds all around with melodies fine, 

Burthened the soft invisible breeze. 
Now in the autumn, passing so fleetly, 
I hear thee repeating so sweetly, 
Repeating songs of the glad spring time. 



45 

Sing and make music the rocks among, 

Stream of the lulling voice ; 
Down to the river mighty and strong, 
Glide swiftly, sweetly singing thy song — 
Eejoice, ever rejoice. 

Summer in beauty flushed and aglow, 

Stood by thy side 'neath evergreen trees, 
Nestling above called plaintive and low; 
Blossom for water clung to her knees ; 
What she replied to nestling calling, 
To the blossom clinging and falling — 
Eepeating art thou, sweetly below. 

Sing and make music the rocks among, 

Stream of the lulling voice; 
Down to the river mighty and strong, 
Glide swiftly, sweetly singing thy song — 
Eejoice, ever rejoice. 

Autumn is present giving her fruit, 

'Neath the shade of thy evergreen trees, 

Nuts that the gay little squirrels suit, 

Peach, apple and pear, each taste to please, 
5 



46 

Music of joyful voices mingling, 
Mingling now with a joyful jingling, 
Repeating art thou to rock and root. 

Sing and make music the rocks among, 

Stream of the lulling voice ; 
Down to the river mighty and strong, 
Glide swiftly, sweetly singing thy song — 
Rejoice, ever rejoice. 

Winter is coming, frosty and cold, 
To banish the soft refreshing breeze, 

But thou wilt laugh at the tyrant old, 
'Neath the shade of thy evergreen trees. 

Thy foaming water, boiling, swelling, 

And rushing, will ever be telling 

All that Spring, Summer and Autumn told. 

Sing and make music the rocks among, 

Stream of the lulling voice ; 
Down to the river mighty and strong, 
Glide swiftly, sweetly singing thy song — 
Rejoice, ever rejoice. 



'TIS MYSTERY ALL. 



The wise of earth their wisdom boast, 
And all the fields of knowledge scan, 

But mystery's grand unnumbered host 
All scorn to bow to feeble man. 

Those hosts they stand, they rush, they throng, 
Through all Creation's wide domains; 

Their tread is heard where matin song 
Or vesper music pours its strains. 

The tend'rest leaflet bears the seals 
Of myst'ry's kingdom on it traced ; 

The proud old oak-king ever feels 
His giant strength is by it braced. 



48 

The smallest sand's material mould 
Attests the reign of myst'ry's power, 

While frowning mountains, bleak and cold, 
Assert her treasures as their dower. 

The whirling spheres, chained to her car, 
Roll on in circuits wide as space, 

Nor stops one little twinkling star, 
To tell us of its natal place. 

The mighty glacier's dazzling form 

Declares how high her thoughts can soar, 

As frost works on a wintry morn 
Tell us how beauteous is her store. 

The dancing sunbeams of to-day, 

In sportive mood write out her name ; 

The fervid lightning's piercing ray 
In sterner accents spells the same. 

Where'er we cast inquiring eyes, 
O'er earth, or sky, or air, or flood, 

Each bids us from its myst'ry rise 
And fix our thoughts on myst'ry's God. 



49 

Too deep the depths for mortal ken, 

Too high the heights for mind to tower ! 

Be this the wisdom then of men 
To wonder, love and then ADORE. 



AUTUMN REVERIE. 



The Hudson is rolling dark and blue, 
Where the Mohawk leaps to his embrace, 
And Autumn's sad and sorrowful hue, 
Lives on the islands and fields in view, 
Like pain on a lovely human face. 
Summer is gone, the day is dying 
On a golden couch in the far west ; 
Winter is near and Earth is sighing, 
From the wind and the wave's wild unrest. 
But the Moon is rising full and round, 
On the horizon's verge in the east, 
And stars come out from the blue profound, 
With lustre beaming from great to least. 



51 

ii. 

Time is flowing like the river blue, 
Through every home on the river's side, 
And many a heart once glad and true, 
When the spring of life was fresh and new, 
Is sorrowing now in silent pride. 
The joy is gone, and hope is leaving 
Many a soul, for man) a cause ; 
Some o'er personal pangs are grieving, 
And some o'er Jehovah's broken laws. 
But the Moon is rising full and round, 
On the horizon's verge in the east, 
And stars come out from the blue profound, 
With lustre beaming from great to least. 



in. 

Time bringeth event after event, 
To the nations as well as the home, 
It is the same God's mighty intent, 
Directing all, and nought can prevent 
His thought from raising its throne. 
Autumn is here, winter is coming, 
To rule as a wrong ruleth a land ; 



52 

Yet Love is King, and truth is running 
Down into the chosen heart and hand, 
And the good time, like a silver moon, 
From the present toil shall rise sublime ; 
Each victory gained, out of the gloom 
Shines like a star to lighten the time. 



WAITING FOR THE MASTER. 

Men are waiting for the Master, 
The God-commissioned man, 

To blend their scattered forces, 
And forward lead the van. 

Men are waiting for the Master ; 
Where is the wanted man ? 

Men are waiting for the Master, 
To rouse them as with wine, 

Or as voice of Hermit Peter 
Roused them of olden time. 

Men are waiting for the Master ; 
Where is the voice divine ? 



54 

Men are waiting for the Master, 
The King without a crown, 

To give them his permission 
To tear old error down. 

Men are waiting for the Master ; 
When will the Master come 1 

Men are waiting for the Master, 
The man of thought sublime, 

To check the stream of evil, 
As Luther in his time. 

Men are waiting for the Master ; 
Where is the man sublime ? 

Men are waiting for the Master, 
The man with mission grand, 

To turn each foul disaster 
Into a helping hand. 

Men are waiting for the Master ; 
Where is the Master's hand 1 

Men are waiting for thee, Master, 

0, come to waiting man ! 
Think, and speak, and carry forward, 

The Savior's blessed plan. 
Men are waiting for thee, Master, 

0, come to waiting man! 



HYMK 



! Thou whose word called into light, 

The worlds that roll through boundless space, 
Who fashioned day and solemn night, 

And gave to man a dwelling place, 
Receive the thanks we try to give, 

Through Jesus Christ, thy own dear Son, 
Who taught us how to pray and live, 

And all thy blessings thankful own. 



When we were walking in the gloom 

That Sin around our pathway cast, 
Thy mercy sent thy Spirit down 

To save us from destruction vast. 
Eeceive the thanks we try to give 

Through Jesus Christ, thy own dear Son, 
Who taught us how to pray and live, 

And all thy blessings thankful own. 



56 



Our life is drawing near the grave, 

We soon must lay these bodies down, 
No terror of its gloom we have, 

But hope of life and starry crown. 
Eeceive the thanks we try to give 

Through Jesus Christ, thy own dear Son, 
Who taught us how to pray and live, 

And all thy blessings thankful own. 



CALYAET. 



Hark ! the deep-toned thunder breaks, 
The lightnings span the sky, 

The rolling earth in terror quakes, 
While darkness reigns on high. 

The Sun in blackness hides his face, 

The Temple's vail is torn, 
The graves give up their ghastly race, 

The rocks upheaved are borne. 



Lo ! on Calvary's heights arrayed, 

Hellish forces all unite, 

The Son of Man is now betrayed, 

Him, in evil hate they smite. 
6 



58 

See ! His back has felt the smart, 

His streaming temples beat, 
His upturned eye, his throbbing heart, 

All speak His anguish great. 

Tis God ! The incarnate God who cries ! 

All nature hears the groan, 
Light, dismayed, in sorrow flies 

At Earth's convulsive groan. 

Behold the scene ! Great Heaven spare ! 

They pierce his writhing side ! 
How doth the Eternal God forbear, 

While flows the crimson tide ? 



Thus ; Sinner, thus, for you and me 
The Prince of Life now dies : 

He hangs upon the accursed tree — 
Our passport to the skies. 



HYMN. 

1. 

Our Jesus stands before the Throne 

Of God the Father great on high, 
To plead for all that to Him come 

With contrite heart or anxious sigh. 
His tender heart is full of grief 

To hear His loved ones sigh and mourn ; 
How swift is he to send relief 

In needed grace or blessing down ! 



As bending still from Heaven high, 

To watch the struggle and the pain 
Of all whom Tempter's art doth try 

To win, or load with Sin again. 
How anxious grows that holy face, 

To see them fall an easy prey ; 
How glad is He, when given grace 

Is used to drive the foe away ! 



60 
3. 

O ! Children of the blessed Lord, 

Arise before it is too late ! 
Show forth the power of His word, 

The sinful heart to recreate. 
Rise higher still in life divine, 

Go on perfecting life more pure, 
Till perfect love and peace are thine, 

The witness of Salvation sure. 



POESY. 

A friendly Muse came floating by, 
At midnight's silent hour, 

And gently laid upon my soul, 
The mantle of her power. 



" Go, pen," said she, " in glowing thoughts, 

And sweetly flowing numbers, 
The praises of my mighty deeds, 

And all my rhyming wonders." 

'Tis said that Nature loves to speak 
Through all her winding phrases; 

So Nature's voice we first may call, 
To utter forth her praises. 



62 

And so 'tis true that Fancy paints 

Upon her canvas snowy, 
The brightest images of bliss, 

In Saint or Sage's story. 

Here Beauty too, has oft enshrined 

Her fairest of creations, 
And ideal thoughts have here embalmed 

Their bright imaginations. 

Here Music breathes, and rolls and swells, 

In ceaseless diapason — 
No prosy paragraphs can tell 

Its mighty inspiration. 

It matters not who makes the laws 

Of any rising nation, 
The man who makes its cradle songs, 

Shall lay its deep foundation. 

The Goddess Friendship loves to pause, 
And waiteth rhymer's wooings, 

That in his measures may be told 
Her winning, kindly doings. 



63 

The Patriot waits in noble pride, 

For Poesy's oblations, 
To herald all his deeds abroad, 

And stir the hearts of nations. 

The brightest, best of earthly truths, 
Have had their richest setting, 

In gems which poets dug from brains, 
Where rhymes were ever ringing. 

The lover breathes its choicest strains 

In song, or music swelling, 
And thus he opes a trusting heart, 

And makes a fair one willing. 

The infant's cries are quickly hushed, 
And stop'd its feeble weeping, 

When nursery songs in chorus rise, 
And sleep comes onward creeping. 

The tide of joy, the voice of song, 
Takes for its free expression, 

And shuns the slow coach path of prose, 
For fear of stern repression. 



64 

When first from chaos rose to light, 

A peerless constellation, 
The morning stars together sang, 

The matin of Creation. 

And when to earth the angels came, 
To make the glad announcement, 
'Good will to man and peace on earth,' 
They sang its first pronouncement. 

And when from earth those pass away, 
Whose life has been all trusting, 

Not all the pain of Death can bind 
The song that's then outbursting. 

And so in Heaven, its loudest praise 

In treble notes of singing, 
Is God's own poets' joyous lays 

For ever, ever ringing. 



INSPIRATION". 

A wind goes by, and its passage 
Awakes a current strong, 

For the seed-ships of the Thistle 
To float and sail along; 
Along, 

Like the downy car of Spirits 
Upon the stream of air, 
They glide and float and throng, 

With the germs of life and beauty 
Intrusted to their care, 



66 

So thought from the source of beauty, 
Invades the soul within, 

And out from its store of treasure, 
Takes ev'ry thought akin 
Akin. 

Like the wind that bears the seed-car 
The inspiration is, 
That gushes strangely in 

To wake, and outward from the Spirit 
Convey, its thoughts of bliss. 

The wind goes by, and its current 

Increaseth strength and sway, 
Till the gilded fly so brilliant 

Is borne with it away ; 
Away, 
Like a living Pearl or Ruby, 

Winging fast afar, 

They glide and float and play, 
The Butterfly and the dazzling 

Though frail Ephemera. 



67 

So the breath of Inspiration 

Increaseth strength and lore, 

Till the soul that loves its breathing 
Finds joy in else no more, 
No more. 

And its thoughts of truth and beauty 
Are borne upon the world, 
From shore to distant shore, 

As Ephemeras so brilliant 

Are on the current whirled. 



The wind goes by with its burthen 
Of precious life and seed, 

Here and there they fall and nestle, 

In after time to breed, 

To breed ; 

Each to germinate and blossom 
And reproduce their kind, 
As Nature maketh need : 

And again in proper season, 

Reload the passing wind. 



68 

So the thoughts of Inspiration 
Go on the winds of time, 

Through the ceaseless lapse of ages 
To quicken and refine, 
Refine. 

Like the seed-germ through the seasons, 
They go from brain to brain, 
Through all the years sublime, 

Each to germinate and blossom 
And reproduce again. 



HYMN TO THE EARTH. 

World of my birth, and my waking 

To conscious life in time ; 
Land of my Love and my dwelling, 

I give thee praise of mine, 
And love for love that is beaming 

From ev'ry glance of thine : 
Out of the eyes of thy creatures, 

Thy birds and tender kine, 
I see the smile of the Spirit, 

The love that is divine. 

7 



70 

Gather me close to thy bosom, 

As mother doth her child ; 
Away through the silent heaven, 

The ether calm and mild, 
Circle around in thine orbit, 

Around, around the sun ; 
Through the brilliant nights of beauty, 

The shadows black and dun, 
And the golden days of glory, 

For ever, ever run. 



There are those who call thee evil, 

A wilderness of woe, 
Where Sin, the mother of Sorrow, 

Rules every heart below, 
And the foul slime of the Serpent* 

On ev'ry life they show. 
But the pure heart of the holy, 

The robe made white as snow 
By the cleansing blood of Jesus, 

They never see nor know. 



71 

Gather me close to thy bosom, 

As mother doth her child ; 
Away through the silent heaven, 

The ether calm and mild, 
Circle around in thine orbit, 

Around, around the sun; 
Through the brilliant nights of beauty, 

The shadows black and dun, 
And the golden days of glory, 

For ever, ever run. 

There are those who love thy future, 

A few who toil and spend, 
And who consecrate in prayer 

All that the Lord doth send, 
To spread the truth of the Savior 

To thy remotest end. 
0, give them strength and the courage, 

The power to pierce and rend, 
And before their great Ideal 

Each form of evil bend. 



72 

Gather me close to thy bosom, 

As mother doth her child ; 
Away through the silent heaven, 

The ether calm and mild, 
Circle around in thine orbit, 

Around, around the sun ; 
Through the brilliant nights of beauty, 

The shadows black and dun, 
And the golden days of glory, 

For ever, ever run. 



0, for the words of the mighty ! 

0, for a voice to win 
The love and hearts of thy children 

Away from vice and sin! 
From the fever haunts of pleasure, 

The painful strife and din, 
To the pleasant fields and meadows, 

Thy wooded breast within, 
And the blessed house of worship, 

And holy life therein. 



73 

Gather me close to thy bosom, 

As mother doth her child ; 
Away through the silent heaven, 

The ether calm and mild, 
Circle around in thine orbit, 

Around, around the sun ; 
Through the brilliant nights of beauty, 

The shadows black and dun, 
And the golden days of glory, 

For ever, ever run. 



THE SNOW STORM. 

Out of the leaden sky, one by one, 

See the snow flakes fall, daintily fall 
On the frozen fields, down, gently down, 

On the river, road, cottage and hall; 
Faster and faster, down they follow 

In crystal silence the foremost flake, 
Millions tremble into the hollow, 

To clothe the trees and thicken the lake. 
Spirit of snow, shake away, shake, 

0, shake the tender blossoms down, 
So! for the little snow birds' sake, 
And the children happier grown. 



75 

Some flutter and float uncertainly, 

Like the changing course of aimless feet, 
And others, a loving family, 

Together fall with each tie complete. 
Faster and faster, down they hurry, 

Like the tender bloom of apple trees, 
Shed by the gentle force and flurry 
Of softly, swiftly, hurrying breeze. 
Spirit of snow, shake away, shake, 

0, shake the tender blossoms down, 
So ! for the little snow birds' sake, 
And the children happier grown. 

The snow birds twitter from place to place, 

Each like an embodied thought of glee, 
Bringing a smile to the loving face, 

For joy is a blessed thing to see. 
Up they fly, away to the mountain, 

Where all the daintiest jewels fall, 
Like the frozen foam of a fountain, 
Or spray of a hidden waterfall. 

Spirit of snow, shake away, shake, 

0, shake the tender blossoms down, 
So ! for the little snow birds 5 sake, 
And the children happier grown. 



76 

! to-morrow morn the trees will bow, 

With crystal foliage new and white, 
And the smiling sun uprise and show 
A dazzling scene of beauty bright. 
Happiest laughter, bells a-ringing, 

Children gliding, sliding to and fro, 
All will join together in singing 

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the snow ! 
Spirit of snow, shake away, shake, 

0, shake the tender blossoms down, 
So ! for the little snow-birds' sake, 
And the children happier grown. 



JOHN COOLEY. 



John Cooley, the ferryman's dead ; 

Last eve he was drowned in the lock : 
Was it chance or his fate that led 

The ferryman off of the dock ? 
Oh ! into the dark waters sped, 

Before he could pray or repent ! 
Death's keen arrow was swiftly sent, 

And the neighborhood feels the shock. 



78 



II. 



So he died the death that he feared, 

His presentiment proved too true ; 
While homeward bound, his spirit cheered 

By his own cottage lamp in view, 
Very close the messenger neared ; 

One step more, and then he was hurled 
Out of this life, out of the world, 

Before his friend near aught could do. 



in. 

"Father's gone," was all that he said, 

As his soul shrunk out in the cold : 
He thought of his children in bed, 

The rest of his thought will be told 
When the scroll of Life shall be read 

In the last great day of reward, 
Then Jesus himself shall award 

His due to the ferryman old. 



79 



IV. 



His life was a frail, wayward life, 

His deeds of the poor, common kind ; 
Strong passions for ever in strife 

Polluted his story and mind. 
Though sterile, his nature was rife 

With bright little virtues and deeds, 
As out in the uncultured meads 

Sweet blossoms you often may find. 



v. 

The Great Spirit wanted him here, 

To ferry men over the stream ; 
Here, in his chosen place and sphere, 

He was needed as kings have been, 
-As statesman, or poet, or seer, 

"Who did their destined work in time. 
Our glory and merit sublime, 

Is to do our work, high or mean. 



80 



VI. 



The children all will miss the man, 

For he was kind and good to them ; 
Above the river's roaring dam, 

He would teach them to row, and stem 
The stream there as it swiftly ran 

Down to the great deeps of the sea. 
Now the little ones weep to see 

The cold corpse of the ferryman. 



VII. 

Old Joseph, the fisherman brown, 

Looks with awe at the fatal place ; 
What he thinks as he looketh down, 

You can read on his serious face. 
Yes, His a fearful thing to drown, 

And go through the grave in the sod 
To the presence of Christ your God ; 

So prepare for the Judgment place ! 



STOEM UPON THE CAATSKILLS. 

Hudson, like a vein of silver, 
Ean below the morning beam, 
Onward came the splendid current, 
Eunning verdant hills between, 
And with great majestic curving, 
Seaward went the noble stream. 

As the hand of God the Maker 

Changed the scen'ry of the sky, 

Piling clouds of fleecy whiteness 

From the earth to zenith high, 

Like expectant beings watching 

For some splendid vision nigh. 
8 



82 

Up behind the lofty mountains 
Eose great clouds of deeper gloom, 
Growing heavy, deep and darker, 
Like the dread of hastening doom, 
Or the shadow of great sorrow, 
O'er bright faces passing soon. 

Down the heavy mass of vapor 
Eolled and fell unto the shore, 
Like a great and sombre curtain 
Spread a wrathful scene before; 
Down it fell, until the mountains 
Seemed like Phantoms dim and hoar* 



Then the lightnings leaped to heaven, 

Like a tall and slender spire ; 

Then they crossed, like swords of battle 

In the hands of foemen dire ; 

Then they poured down the blackness, 

Like a cataract of fire. 



83 

And the mighty voice of Thunders, 
Spake the while from peak to peak, 
Rumbling now to valleys under, 
Now uprising to a shriek, 
As the voice of eager Gen'rals 
In the midst of battle speak. 

From the great opposing columns, 
Ean the rain like frightened gore, 
In two streams of mighty volume, 
On the summits dim and hoar ; 
Such a flood upon them rushing, 
Made the gorges madly roar. 

Soon the Southern wind a-blowing, 

Wrathfully began to swell, 

And with mighty force advancing, 

Tumult quickly 'gan to quell ; 

While the clouds far to the northward 

Went like frigates fighting well. 



84 

Some like creatures wounded mortal, 
Writhed away in greatest pain ; 
Some like victors clothed in purple, 
Moved in sunlight bright again ; 
Some still wept above the mountains, 
Like sad widows o'er the slain. 



Now the sunlight growing brighter, 
Fell upon us like a smile 
From the face of our Creator, 
Gazing fondly all the while 
At the glad and warm emotions 
That were gushing without guile. 

On we went through summer glory, 
Gladly sailing up the stream, 
With a rainbow arching o'er us 
With its many colored beam, 
And we gave to God the Maker 
Thanks for beauty we had seen. 



AUTUMN NIGHT. 

Solemn night in sable raiment, 
Walks the viewless fields of air; 

In the gloom of her great shadow, 
Earth is resting everywhere. 

High the stars their lamps are filling 
With the glory of their God, 

And the dying firefly's flashing, 
Like a ruby from the sod. 

From the wooded hill so lonely, 

Comes the plaint of whip-poor-will, 
Like the voice of some lost spirit, 
Seeking pain its pain to kill. 



86 

In the tangled meadow grasses, 
Cricket sings a low sad tune; 

Through the alder bush and hazel, 
Brook laments the absent moon- 



Zephyr sighs to tell the tidings, 
Winter's left the Arctic realm, 

Laden down with frosty burdens, 
All our joys to overwhelm. 

Through the wood and woeful meadows 
Crawls the shudder o'er and o'er, — 

As to human hearts, near sorrow 
Sends presentiment before. 



STANZAS. 

Worshiper of truth, why thwart or check 
The movings within of intellect ? 
Like a magnet, work for thee to do, 
Or truth designed for thee to find, 
Attracts thee, go, be steadfast and true, 
For such the law of work and mind. 

Want without calls out aloud to thee, 
Power within is moved with sympathy; 
Follow the pointing of its request, 
Into the valley of doubt unknown, 
Go without haste, and go without rest, 
Go, fearlessly go, down, deep, deep, down. 



88 

The air may be cold, sunless and chill, 
And kindred, thy days with mourning fill, 
The world may rebuke and call thee mad, 
And its sects cry out restrain, restrain, 
Yet forward go, rejoicing or sad, 
Follow the light within thy brain. 

The diamonds of truth, both rich and rare, 
Down deep in the darkness hidden are ; 
The weal of man and the cause of God, 
Are waiting for thee to seek and trace — 
With the power given, a magic rod — 
The needed gem to its resting place. 

Bring it forth, though its glorious smile 
Dazzle the good and true for a while, 
Yet serene and safe, shall it be seen, 
When fashioned well and placed aright, 
Flashing, and pouring a full glad stream 
Into the realms of wrong and night. 



DARE AND DO. 

To do and dare, 

Be this thy care, 
Though every path be haunted ; 

So dare and do 

Whate'er is true, 
E'en though thy heart be taunted 

By many a fear 

And prospect drear, 
And many a thorn be planted. 

Yes, do and dare, 

And thou shalt wear 
Full blooming joy's supernal ; 

So dare and do, 

And over you 
Shall beam the skies diurnal, 

Till up from this 

You rise to bliss 
Unclouded and eternal. 



HAIL THE PORT. 

All hail, the port ! it breaks in view, 

This trembling earth-light struggling through, 

And bids your heart rejoice ! 

Then seize your lyre — let tones of fire 

Seraphic roll, till all your soul 

Is wrapped in flame — and Jesus 5 name 

Shouts out thy swelling voice. 

All hail, the port ! 'Tis just before, 
A few soft sighing breezes more 
The anchor shall be cast. 
Then joy to all — the Pilot call — 
Then press all sail, within the veil — 
For safe is run, the voyage begun, 
And Heaven is gained at last. 



SING! 0, SING! 

Sing no more of Maiden charms, 
Ye masters of the art divine ; 
A higher theme belongs to time 
Then cherry lip, or circling arms, 
Or the wildering joy of wine. 
Sing no more. 

Sing no more the discontent 
Of feeble hearts that live in vain ; 
But touch the lyre to grander strain, 
For life's a battle, time is sent 
For high endeavor, not for shame. 
Sing no more. 



92 

Sing no more in sad lament, 
The bitter woes we all must feel ; 
Upon the rack or on the wheel 
Think of the Lord, and be content 
To sing the love He will reveal. 
Sing ! 0, Sing ! 



THE BELIEVER'S DEATH. 

Meekly she is lying 
On the bed of death, 
Softly she is sighing 
With her gentle breath ; 

She is troubled, 

For the waters 

Of the River 
Are rising to control ; 

She is anxious, 

Very anxious 
For the welfare of her soul. 



9 



94 

Sadly she is gazing 
Upward in the air, 
Softly she is raising 
The gentle call of prayer ; 

She is praying 

For the blessing 

And fulfillment 
Of the Savior's holy word ; 

She is lifting, 

Upward lifting, 
The promise of her Lord. 

Softly it is flowing 
The blessed stream of grace; 
Sweetly it is growing, 
The joy upon her face ; 

She is looking, 

Upward looking, 

Very joyful 
At some vision of delight ; 

She is smiling, 

Gladly smiling 
And her eyes are full of light. 



95 

Faintly she is speaking, 
Oh ! let us hear her speak, 
"Sweetly light is breaking, 
The light for which I seek ; 

Oh ! the singing 

That is ringing 

Very joyful 
Is the music of the skies. 

See it coming, 

Swiftly coming, 
The bird of love and Paradise. 

" Sweetly it is singing, 
Words of rapture sweet ; 
Gently it is winging 
Just above my feet ; 

It is singing 

Of the Savior, 

And the Heaven 
And the joy that never dies ; 

I am going, 

Gladly going, 
To my mansion in the skies. 



96 

Slowly she is sinking, 
Calm and motionless; 
Sadly we are thinking 
More than tears express. 

She was loving, 

She was noble, 

Yery cheerful — 
Would the world had many such ; 

She was faithful, 

Very faithful, 
And we loved her very much. 

Slowly she is leaving 
All she loved in time ; 
Vain is all our grieving, 
Why should we repine ? 

She is happy, 

She is ready, 

And is going 
Just before to Father's home; 

She will meet us 

With rejoicing 
When the Savior sayeth u come." 



STREET REVERIE. 



Up and down our city streets 

See the living come and go ; 
Hear the sound of falling feet, 

List to voices high and low, 
Mingling oaths and laughs and moans, 

Calls and cries in varied tones, 
! the sounds that go up high, 

To the great Creator's ears, 
Make the listening angels sigh, 

Make the music sweet of spheres 
Sad with tones of misery ; 

Still the Serpent's mocking tongue 
Hisseth, Oh! my Lord, at Thee. 



98 



II. 



Up and down the paved street, 

Still the living currents run ; 
Some with recognition meet, 

Some with strong aversion turn 
Glances from approaching foe ; 

Thus they come and thus they go. 
Some in silks, and some in rags, 

Some in health, and some in pain ; 
There is one that slowly drags 

Withered limbs in search of gain. 
Oh that I possessed the key 

Of this strange phenomena — 
This wondrous moving mystery ! 



99 



hi. 



Up and down the busy street, 

Still the crowd of beings move ; 
Old and young together meet, 

Some new dream intent to prove ; 
Some alone with downcast head, 

Walk with sober, thoughtful tread ; 
Some together linked in pairs, 

Laugh and joke with loud ha ! ha's ! 
Some with consequential airs, 

Rouse the laughter and p'shaws 
Of the critic race behind, 

They who walk in proud esteem. 
Models best of human kind. 



100 



IV. 



Up and down the stony street, 

Runs the current to and fro ; 
Faces strange to-day I greet, 

Gone are those I used to know. 
People from a far off land, 

On the corners gaze and stand, 
Emblems sad of man's unrest, 

Telling story of his fall. 
He may seek for peace and rest, 

All around this earthly ball, 
Never more shall Eden's sod, 

Nor peace again be found, 
Till his soul is joined to God. 



TO MART. 

Life is short, life is fleeting, 

Earnest work have we to do, 
Evermore to keep repeating, 

Holy deeds divine and true. 
Never, Mary, let us falter 

In our journey to the skies, 
Keeping all upon the Altar, 

For Faith our priest to sacrifice. 

Life is short, life is fleeting, 

Changing care we both shall have, 
E'er we see, and hear the greeting, 

Of our Lord beyond the grave. 
Never, Mary, let us falter 

In our journey to the skies ; 
Keeping all upon the Altar, 

For Faith our priest to sacrifice. 

M. E. G. 



FAITH. 

Substance substantial, though etherial, 
With which I buy me blessings manifold, 
Blessings and possessions spiritual, 
Luxuries divine in Heaven kept, and sold 
To all that bring the true celestial gold 
Of Faith, the only coin accepted there. 
I found it when my heart was full of fear 
And sorrow for the sins upon my Soul; 
I went with it to Christ, and pardon bought 
For all the wrong that I had done or thought ; 
I bought Salvation on that blessed day, 
When I to Jesus went with faith to pray, 
And by believing prayer was then made whole. 



GLOEY BEAMETH THEEE. 

There is a path marked out below, 
For Pilgrim strangers here to go 
And find a lasting bliss. 
All rugged is the toilsome way, 
And feebly shines the glim'ring ray, 
That lures its on to brighter day, 
Through paths of usefulness. 

Yet even here we may be bold, 

And what we see not, still may hold 

By power of earnest prayer. 

Then welcome be the lonely cheer — 

The darksome doubt — the trembling fear, 

And all that starts the briny tear, 

Since Glory beameth there. 



STANZAS. 

All day long the cock is scratching, 

Scratching food his crop to fill, 
And the hens, example catching, 

Scratch away with right good will. 
Both together, scratch and seek 

Food for self and tender young, 
While the young so plump and sleek, 

Peep their joy with piping tongue. 

"Would some men around the tavern, 

Lolling there in drunken shame — 
"Woman too for ever gadding — 

Learn from this the lesson plain, 
Land more wheat would yield for bread, 

Houses be more sweet and clean, 
Children better clothed and fed, 

All would happy be, I ween. 



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